Legal advice reveals 'major flaws' in the government’s opposition to visa-free touring

Since the Brexit deal was announced in January 2021, musicians' ability to plan tours in Europe has been impeded by mountains of costly red tape.

In response, organisations across the creative industries have called on the government to negotiate a bespoke Visa Waiver Agreement (WVA) with the EU to remove a significant part of this barrier.

Since January, the government has told Parliament and the creative sector that a VWA would not be suitable because it would require the Brexit deal to be renegotiated.

However, today the ISM has published legal advice from a leading QC that directly demonstrates how a VWA could be successfully negotiated.

ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said: 'It is extremely troubling that expert legal advice has exposed major flaws in the government’s explanation for refusing to negotiate a Visa Waiver Agreement with the EU, which would help fix the Brexit touring crisis. With the music sector now looking beyond coronavirus, it is still virtually impossible for many creative professionals to work in Europe on a short term or freelance basis.

‘Despite what MPs have been told by ministers, the latest legal advice has shown that it is entirely possible for the government to create an agreement that would be compatible with their manifesto pledge, be legally binding and benefit specific professions without requiring a renegotiation of the Brexit Deal.

'Creating such an agreement is achievable, it simply requires the political will to deliver on the Prime Minister’s commitment to sort this mess out.’

The revelation casts a shadow over the Prime Minister's claim, in March, that he was working 'flat out' to find a solution to the touring crisis facing musicians.